Chrysler Will Upgrade and Cut Price for Patriot and Compass

Chrysler LLC is planning to improve the content and lower the price on 12 of its vehicles as part of a marketing campaign it plans to unveil next month, Vice Chairman and President Jim Press said yesterday during media previews at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, and Dodge Caliber are among the vehicles that will get the treatment, but he wouldn't give further details. The plan will be revealed to dealers at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in February.

The company, he said, has made 260 upgrades to its vehicles, mostly improvements in materials and appearance. That was part of a $150 million investment in existing products, he said. Next will be interior car improvements, he added.